Hydrant



April 27, l1937. L. P. STOREY HYDRAN T Filed May 1l, `1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l /r/GJ INVENTOR. l EON/0,45 @J7-025V BY La (w, u( afm ATTORNEYS.

I Apr'il 27, 1937. 1 P. Smm-:Y

HYDRAN T 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May l1.l 1935 ATTORNEYS.

CIK

Patented Apr. 27, 1937 HYDRANT Leonidas P. Storey, St. Paul, assignor to Application May 11, 1933, Serial No. 670,477

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in fire hydrants, and has as an important object to provide a frost jacket type of hydrant in which the stand pipe can be,removed independently of the valve mechanism while the valve is closed, and in which the Valve mechanism can be removed independently of the stand pipe. There are two general classes of fire hydrants, those with frost jackets or casings, and those without frost jackets or casings, that is the jacketed and non-jacketed types of hydrant. Insofar as is known to me, all jacket type hydrants have the stand pipe so connected that it cannot be removed without removing the valve mechanism. It frequently happens that the stand pipe becomes broken, generally as the result of collision of a vehicle, and when this happens to an old type jacket hydrant the water has to be shut 01T to the mains in order to make the repair. With the present invention, the valve mechanism can remain intact and the valve can remain closed because of a construction which allows removal and replacement of the stand pipe independently of the valve mechanism.

Features of the invention include the broad idea of detachability of the stand pipe independently of the valve mechanism in a hydrant of the jacketed type; the speciiic means by which such detachment is accomplished; an interchangeable hydrant assembly by means of which conversion of a standard hydrant into that of the jacketed type or vice versa may be easily made; the provision in the seat ring of a conically beveled gasket seat cooperative with Vcorresponding bevel of the seat annulus; the

drain control mechanism; the formation of a reservoir by means of the jacket in a manner to permit of unobstructed waste water disposal; the use of loose threads for obtaining ease and sureness of disassembly of the seat annulus from the seat ring; and all details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification.

Objects, features and advantages of the invention willV be set forth in the description of the `drawings forming a part of this application, and in said drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section through ahydrant ofthe jacketed type constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 shows a portion of a hydrant ofthe standard or non-jacketed type, with the drain valve open; Figures 1 and 2 together illustrate the feature whereby conversion of the standard hydrant into the jacketed type or vice versa may be made;

Figure 3 is a view illustrating the action of the drain valve control mechanism and showing the drain valve closed;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section on line 4-4 of Figurel further illustrating the drain valve control mechanism and positions of the related'parts Figure 5 is a modification in which the stand pipe is secured directly to the base; and

Figure 6 is a modication illustrating means for clampingly but detachably securing the stand. pipe directly to the base.

The base of the hydrant is generally indicated at I and has the usual flange 2 at the top having bolt openings 3 therein. For the claimed convertible assembly, these openings are spaced to register with the corresponding openings of the flange of a standard stand pipe. Engaged against the top surface of the ange is a seat ring generally indicated at 5. This seat ring is threaded interiorly as at 6 to cooperate with the correspondingV threads of the seat annulus 1. The seat ring has an upstanding annular portion III interiorly threaded as at I I to cooperate with threads at the exterior and bottom of a special stand pipe I2. The seat ring has bolt openings 3a spaced to register with the openings 3, as well as with openings 3b (see Figure 2) of a standard stand pipe I2e. The bolts are indicated at 8. The stand pipe I 2 has Vertical grooves 9 interiorly disposed for engagement by a suitable wrench, for rotating the pipe.

The seat ring 5 is also provided on its upper side inwardly of the stand pipe with a conical downwardly inwardly convergent seating surface I4 which cooperates with a corresponding sur-` face I5 of the under side of the seat annulus 1. This beveling in the manner shown is a feature of the invention, and prevents such collection of material, as pebbles, on the packing surface I4 as would interfere with sealing contact between gasket I6 and surfaces I4 and I 5, and with proper registration of drain passages described below. The annulus has threaded engagement with the seat ring as at Il. Inasmuch as the threads I'l merely act as mechanical coupling means and not as means for obtaining a water-tight assembly, the threads have a rather free fit, thereby making disassembly sure and easy.

In this instance, the jacket of the hydrant is composed of two tubular elements telescopically engaged, as shown, the outer tube being indicated at 20, the inner at 2l. The lower end of the inner tube extends below the flange 2 of the base and may rest upon the portion 22 of the base I. 'Ihe jacket is spaced from the flange and seat ring as at 24. The inner surface of the outer or upper part of the jacket is engaged with an annular projection 25 of the stand-pipe l2.

The upper end of the stand pipe has the usual flange 2G bolted to corresponding flange 2l of the nozzle section 28, as at 29. The usual nozzle cap 35 is provided. rI'he upper end of the nozzle section is flanged as at 30 which flange is bolted as at 3l to the base 32 of the cap structure 33.

The main valve is generally indicated at lil and has suitably attached thereto a stem 4l which kpasses upwardly through a stuiling box 34 irl the base of the cap structure 33, and is threaded as at 4|. These threads engage a rotatable nut 42 operatively held by the cap and by thrust plate 44, as shown. The plate 44 is suitably bolted to the cap 33 as at 45. The nut extends upwardly and through cover M and has a square terminal 45 with which cap nut 48 is engaged to protect said portion 46 against wrench abrasion.

v-A cap labyrinth 50 gives protection against rain, -s1eet, and ice.

By means of the stuffing boxl 34 the threads are protected against water.

An important feature of this invention in relation to jacketed hydrants is the ability to remove or attach a stand pipe without in any way disturbing the valve mechanism, and while watertight closure of the valve is maintained.

Insofar as I am aware, it has not heretofore been possible in a jacketed type of hydrant to remove the stand pipe without disturbing the valve Vmechanism. Such detachment is possible in the practice of the present invention, because the lower end of the stand pipe l?. is releasably attached to the seat ring by means of threads l l.

Another feature of the invention previously mentioned, relates to a hydrant assembly by which conversion or" one type of hydrant into another can be made. For this purpose, certain parts are made interchangeable with standard stand pipes. Referring to Figure 2, which has a base l like that of Figure 1: As before stated, the openings 3 of the ange of the base I, openings Ila of the seat ring, and openings 3b of the lower flange of the ordinary type of stand. pipe l2e are so spaced as to be registrable. There are two types of seat rings provided: one type, shown at 5 in Figure 1, and the other type shown at Ea in Figure 2. In Figure 1, the bolts El clamp the seat ring directly to the flange 2 of the base. vIn Figure 2, the bolts 8 do not pass through the seat ring, but said ring is clamped between the stand pipe and the base. In both instances the seat ring lies between the stand pipe and base, and in both is provided with a drain passage Ell which ldelivers to the outside of the hydrant and which passes between the`stand pipe and the base. In practice there are a plurality of such drain passages.

Another feature of the invention relates to the waste drainage system, and to the means for controlling the drain valve. The seat rings 5 and 5a are substantially identical in construction,

with the exception that ring 5 has the threads Il for connection with the stand pipe. Each ring has the beveled face I4 and each has radially extending waste drain passages Ell, see also Figure 4, leading outwardly from said face I4. In both Figures 1 and 2, the seat annulus 'l has the same construction, and includes an annular passage 6! leading downwardly and registeringV with and delivering into radial passages Sil. The seat annulus is provided with two upward extensions respectively indicatedat 64-'-651diametrically re- 'accor/e lated to the stem 4|. The extension 65 is tubular and has formed at its bottom a valve seat 6B. Within the tube is reciprocably disposed a waste drain valve 61, cooperable with the seat 66 to control flow to passages 6l, 60. This valve is laterally notched at its upper end as at 63 to receive the end 69 of control lever lll which is pivoted as at 1l in extension 64 to oscillate in a vertical plane. Because of the character of the pivotal structure, the lever can also move slightly horizontally, but not sufciently to disengage the opposite end SS of the lever from the recess 68 of `the drain valve. The stem passes through an opening 'ma of the lever, and the sides of this opening limit the horizontal motion of the lever. The connection of lever end 59 with the slot 68 of the valve is a hinge connection permitting slight hinging action. The open and closed positions of the drain valve are respectively shown in Figures 2 and 3. The main valve stem 4I is provided with an elongated cam 13, upper and lower ends cooperable with corresponding upper and lower abutment portions I5-16 of the lever lo, to raise the lever 1U and open the drain valve when the main valve moves to closed position, see Figure 2, andY to lower the arm 'llleand close the drain valve when the main valve moves to open position.

In Figure 1, the upper end of the cam is holding the lever'lil in raised position. When the stem is lowered from that position, the lever follows until the drain valve is closed, see Figure 3. During this motion, vertical face of the cam is l engaged with corresponding face of the abutment 716. Upon upward movement of the stem 4| to close the main Valve, the upper end of the cam 13 engages the abutment 15 and raises the lever and therefore the drain valve. It is noted that the valve stem passes through the lever l0 as at 'ille with sufficient looseness to obtain proper operation. The lever is positively moved in both directions, and is positively held in each control position.

One of the most essential requirements of a fire hydrant is a positive sure-acting drain valve. The drain should open promptly just before closing of the main valve and conversely, it should close with or just after the main valve starts to open. The drain valves are sometimes not opened for months and therefore the valve, depending 0n close surface contact to be water-tight, un-

dergoes cementation with its seat. A strain suicient to disrupt this` bond must be established when the hydrant is used, and if leather or other material is usedas a Valve facing, the tendency is to tear or wrinkle and promote a leaky condition.

The drain valve herein is of the compression type and water pressure tends to keep it closed to close fully as the vresult of small movement of the main valve and to open fully at the instant that the main valve is closing. This accelerated opening and closing relative to the opening and closingv of lthe main .valve prevents saturation of the earth around the hydrant which in the summer time accelerates or attracts root VVgrowth of the surrounding trees,` and in winter, freezes. The drain valve is positively controlledV for all positions of the main valve and the valve is frictionless in operation.

In the modification shown in Figure 5, the base I 'has an upstanding annular iiange 85 threaded interiorly as at 86 to cooperate with corresponding threads at the lower end of special stand pipe I2. In this instance, the base I is also interiorly threaded `as at 81 to cooperate with corresponding threads of seat annulus 88. In this instance, the seat ring is not used. The seat annulus, in this instance, carries the drain Valve' (not shown). In this construction, of course, the stand pipe is detachably connected directly to the base but as in the first instance, isremovable independently of the valve mechanism so that replacement may be made without disturbing that mechanism. Whatever the particular means used, the idea of removability of the stand pipe in a jacketed hydrant without digging is broadly claimed.

In the modification of Figure 6, the base I has an upstanding flange which is interiorly threaded as at 98 to cooperate with the corresponding threads of a clamping ring 8| which has a flange 93 engaging an internal annular flange 92 of stand pipe I 2b to clamp the bottom surface of the stand pipe directly against the top surface of the base I. To remove the stand pipe, the ring 9| is removed by a suitable wrench. Inthis instance also, no valve seat ring is used, but only valve 94 corresponding in structure to valve 88 of Figure 5.

I claim as my invention:

1.`A hydrant including a base, a ring detachably secured to the base, a valve mechanism supported by the ring, including a valve seat annulus having threaded engagement with the interior of the ring, said ring having a downwardly inwardly convergent conical upper packing surface in sealing engagement with a corresponding packing surface of the annulus, said ring having a drain passage leading from its conical surface outwardly beyond the hydrant wall, and said annulus having a passage communicating with the drain passage at the conical surfaces to establish a drain connection between the inside and the outside of the hydrant.

2. A fire hydrant having a base, a ring immovably secured tothe base, a main valve mechanism detachably secured to the ring and having a stem, a stand pipe and means establishing a water-tight connection between the stand pipe and the ring to permit detachment of the stand pipe by rotation, a jacket at the outer side of the stand pipe, passages establishing a drain connection through the ring and valve mechanism from the interior of the stand pipe to a point outside thereof, a drain valve for controlling said drain passage, a lever pivoted toan immovable part of the main valve mechanism and connected to operate the drain valve, and means respectively on the lever and stem cooperable to move the valve to open and closed position respectively as the stem moves to close and open the main valve.

3. A hydrant having a base,l a valve mechanism secured to the base including a main valve having a stem, a drain passage establishing communication with the outside of the hydrant, a valve translatable at one side of and in a direction axially of the stem for closing said drain passage, a lever pivoted at the opposite side of the stem to an immovable part of the valve mechanism and connected to operate said drain valve,

and means respectively on the lever and stem cooperative by a sliding motion to move the lever,

to open and close the drain valve respectively as the stem moves to close and open the main valve.

4. A hydrant including a base, a valve mechanism secured to the base, and including a removable valve seat annulus, a main valve operating against said seat and having a stem, a passage Yfor draining water from a point above the valve through the annulus to a point outside the hydrant, a drain valve for controlling said passage, a leverI and means pivoting it to the annulus to oscillate in a vertical plane and to be translated in a horizontal plane, means operatively associating the lever with the valve in a manner to move the valve, said lever having an opening loosely traversed by the stem, means carried by the stem and lever cooperable for controlling movements of the lever to open the drain valve and hold it in opposite position as the result of motion of the main stem in closing direction and to close the drain valve and hold it closed as the result lof motion of the stem to move the main valve Yin opening direction, said stem acting with the opening of the lever to limit and control translative motions of the lever.

5. A hydrant including a base, a ring secured to the base, a valve seat annulus supported on the ring in threaded engagement therewith, said rings having conical packing surfaces, the packing surface of the ring being downwardly inwardlyl convergent and the surface of the annulus being complemental thereto, the ring having a drain passage leading from its conical packing surface to deliver at the outside of the hydrant wall, and said annulus having a drain passage intersecting its conical packing surface and communicating with the drain passage of the ring to establish a drain connection between the inside and the outside of the hydrant.

6. A i'lre hydrant having a base, a main valve mechanism operatively associated with the base, and including a seat ring and a valve, said seat ring having a tubular element in axial parallelism with the stern, a drain passage establishing cornmunication between the tubular element and the outer side of the hydrant, a drain valve reciprocable in said tubular element for closing the drain passage, a lever pivoted at that side of the stem diametrically opposite the tubular element to an immovable part of the seat ring and operatively associated with the drain valve, and means on the lever and stem cooperative as a result of sliding motion of the stem to open and close the drain valve respectively as the stem moves to close and open the main valve.

7. In combination with a hydrant ywhich is operably positioned in the ground, said hydrant including a base, a valve mechanism arranged adjacent the base, and a standpipe, means detachably operably connecting the valve mecha-A nism tothe base, and means detachably operably connecting said standpipe to the base, and a jacket surrounding said standpipe, respective connecting means permitting detachment of either valve mechanism or standp-ipe independently of the other and while the other remains operably attached, whereby the standpipe can be detached independently of the valve mechanism and drawn out through the jacket without removing the earth around the jacket and while said valve mechanism is holding back water.

8. A fire hydrant including a base having bolt openings spaced in correspondence to the spacing of the bolt openings in the iiange of the ordinary standpipe, a ring having bolt openings in register with the bolt openings of the base, bolts securing the ring to the base, a standpipe having an independently detachable threaded connection with the ring, a jacket for the standpipe, and a valve mechanism attached to the ring and including a seat ring adapted to be detached independently of the standpipe.

9. A re hydrant including a base having bolt openings spaced in correspondence to the bolt openings of an ordinary standpipe, a ring having bolt openings in register with the bolt openings of the base, bolts securing the ring to the base, a special standpipc and means detachably securing it to the ring, a valve mechanism including a valve seat ring and means detachably securing it to the rst mentioned ring, and a jacket for the standpipe through which the standpipe can be removed.

10. A hydrant including, a base, a iirst ring secured to the base, a seat ringcarried by the iirst ring and main valve cooperative with the seat ring, a standpipe, a jacket for the standpipe, and means detachably securing the standpipe to the rst ring to allow removal as a result of rotation of the pipe, whereby the standpipe may be removed from the jacket while the valve mechanism is holding back Water.

11. A hydrant including, a base, a standpipe, a jacket and a valve mechanism, means detachably securing the valve mechanism to the base for independent removal, and means having no connection with any part of the valve mechanism and detachably securing the standpipe to the base for independent removal through the jacket.

12. A hydrant including a base, a standpipe, a jacket, and valve mechanism, screw threads detachably securing the valve mechanism to the base for independent removal; and screw threads having no connection with any part of the valve mechanism and detachably securing the standpipe to the base for independent removal through the jacket.

LEONIDAS P. STOREY. 

